Several resistance training programs using conventional methodologies have been implemented with the purpose of improving the ability to perform power actions in handball, especially during the competitive season. In contrast, methodologies based on a contemporary perspective, which considers the human being as a self-regulating biological entity, and designed specifically for female college players, are scarce. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of an eight-week resistance training program, in which the athletes were able to control the loads according to their self-perceived effort and rest on their repeated shuttle sprint and jump ability. The sample was composed of 16 female players of a handball team from the faculty of physics and mathematics sciences of a Chilean university. The RSSJA test was used to evaluate players’ conditions pre- and post-training program, and the self-perceived effort scale called OMNI-RES was used for the prediction and control of loads. Results indicated that, after the application of an eight-week resistance training program, significant improvements p ≤ 0.05 on the jump height (pre: 1836.4 W; average post: 2088.9 W) and running speed (average pre: 3.2 m/s; average post: 4.0 m/s) were obtained, as well as a significant reduction in the loss of power and speed between each set of the applied test.

Traditional models to train and teach young players in team sports assume that athletes learn as linear systems. However, an actual methodology called Non-Linear Pedagogy (NLP) accounts for the fact that the players and the team are complex dynamic systems. Experiences in handball under this methodology are scarce; due to this, an observational study has been conducted with a follow-up, idiographic and multidimensional design, in which 14 female school handball players belonging to four different local teams in Santiago, Chile (age = 15.55 + 0.51) agreed to participate in three special handball training sessions with the use of the NLP methodology where three different constraints were used. Descriptive analysis with the Chi-squared test showed a total of 252 observations where most of the variables were dependent on the constraints (p ≤ 0.001). Frequency showed that mainly “Defense in Line of progression” and “Proximal contact” were the most activated variables, followed by “Harassment” and “Deterrence” for all constraints. However, only constraint 2 highly activated two collective motor behaviors, while the rest only did it with individual motor behaviors. It is concluded that the constraints used in training seem to be effective in activating a group of defensive handball motor behaviors, specifically those that are basic for female school handball players.

In the handball initiation, different elements are involved to train all the participant children, in order to develop their psychomotricity to solve different tasks that the game presents to them. For this, the competition is a space where the players can put into practice the learning they have developed. However, in Latin America, the structure and focus of the competition do not necessarily allow this to happen. From this perspective, the objective of this study is to understand how the pedagogical approach or the lack of it regarding competition impacts the learning processes of children who are beginners in handball in Latin America. Qualitative research with a phenomenological design was used. As inclusion criteria, the participants were required to be: a) physical education teachers; b) to be linked to the initiation stages of Handball; c) a minimum of 5 years of experience working in Latin America. As result, the value of competition to generate integration of learning in players and a progressive approach to game situations is highlighted. Therefore, it is concluded that any training action in the initiation to sport must be contextualized as a space rich in learning, so the competition must also be. En la iniciación al balonmano intervienen elementos que buscan capacitar psicomotrizmente a todos los niños participantes para resolver diferentes tareas que presenta el juego. Para ello, la competición es un espacio donde los jugadores pueden poner en práctica los aprendizajes desarrollados. Sin embargo, en Latinoamérica, la estructura y el enfoque de la competencia no necesariamente permite que esto suceda. Desde esa perspectiva, el objetivo del presente estudio es el comprender como el enfoque pedagógico o la inexistencia de este respecto a la competencia impacta los procesos de aprendizaje de los niños iniciantes en balonmano en Latinoamérica. Se utilizó la investigación cualitativa con un diseño fenomenológico. Como criterios de inclusión se exigió que los participantes sean: a) profesores de educación física; b) que estén vinculados a las etapas de iniciación al Balonmano (de benjamín a mini); c) mínimo 5 años de experiencia trabajando en Latinoamérica. Como resultados se destaca el valor que tiene la competición para generar integración de aprendizajes en los jugadores y un acercamiento progresivo a las situaciones del juego. Por lo tanto, se concluye que toda acción formativa en la iniciación al deporte debe estar contextualizada como un espacio rico en aprendizajes, por lo que la competencia también lo debe ser.

<p style="text-align: justify;">This study analyzes the narrated reflection of the students in relation to their learning, based on the perceptions that emerge from their experience in the development of the project. Participants were 53 fourth year Pedagogy in Physical Education students, with an average age of 24.3, who were divided into 13 groups. A qualitative study that used the narrated reflection of the students in relation to learning, based on a driving question. In order to help guide the students’ work, and to collect the perceptions they experienced during their participation, the following four components were integrated into the development of the project and included in the final product: a) historical and heritage sites, b) technology used to measure energy expenditure, c) type of active commuting, d) reflection on what was learned. The students designed 13 routes of active commuting through the city, which included different cultural, heritage and historical landmarks. The students analyzed the learning experience, highlighting the importance of knowing and caring for the heritage of the different cities around which they traveled. PBL can be a didactic alternative in initial Physical Education teacher training to achieve learning by linking subject content with the motivations and interests of the students.</p>